Crimes are sometimes broadly classified or categorized by their nature—such as (1) crimes that are harmful to the victim’s body (assault, battery, rape, and murder) and are known as crimes against the person; and (2) crimes that are harmful to the victim by depriving him of his property or damaging his property and are known as crimes against property (criminal trespassing, burglary, robbery, bribery, blackmail, theft, arson).
In Pennsylvania, crimes are indeed categorized by their nature, aligning with the broader legal tradition. Crimes against the person, such as assault, battery, rape, and murder, are offenses that cause physical harm or a threat of harm to individuals. These are considered very serious and are often felonies, carrying significant penalties including imprisonment. For example, murder is classified into degrees with varying levels of punishment under Pennsylvania law. On the other hand, crimes against property, such as criminal trespassing, burglary, robbery, bribery, blackmail, theft, and arson, involve the taking or damaging of another's property. These can range from misdemeanors to felonies, depending on factors like the value of the property involved and the presence of aggravating circumstances. Pennsylvania statutes provide specific definitions and penalties for each of these crimes, and the severity of the punishment typically correlates with the severity of the crime.